Zlatan rewrites national anthem in new Volvo ad

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Swedish striker and national team captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic stars in the new Volvo Cars advert filmed in the far north and featuring a revamped national anthem which the PSG star claims more closely reflects Sweden in 2014.

"This is as Sweden looks like 2014. I don't speak perfect Swedish, but that's the way it is. A mix everywhere. I can be Swedish all the same. We are all different yet similar," Ibrahimovic said in an interview with the Dagens Industri (DI) daily.

"My father is from Bosnia and Muslim. Mum is from Croatia and Catholic. But I was born in Sweden and am a Swedish citizen. You can't change that. That's the situation, accept it."

The film features Zlatan in the far north of Sweden out hunting, diving into icy water, and even giving his son a haircut.

The full film is due for release later on Saturday January 25th.

The soundtrack - a reworked version of the Swedish national anthem "Du Gamla, Du Fria" has been composed together with Max Martin, a well-known music producer in Sweden.

Ibrahimovic has in the past been criticized for not singing the national anthem when it is played prior to international matches and the 32-year-old explained to DI why he prefers to stay silent.

"It has just never clicked with me to sing these words," he said. "This new anthem is just what we need. The old one was long and boring."

In a short statement to the teaser released on Friday Volvo explained the choice of Ibrahimovic for the new campaign.

"Volvo is part of a global world. Still, it is in Sweden that we find comfort, strength and inspiration. And we share our love for Sweden with one of our greatest: Zlatan Ibrahimovic."